Age cheating challenge to grassroots sports in Nigeria, Igali laments

Team Delta on Thursday emerged winner of the 8th national youths games in Asaba, Delta amidst widespread allegations of age cheating.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the defending champion won a total of 41 gold, 27 silver and 30 bronze to emerge as the winner of the games.

A cross section of sports writers and administrators who monitored the 11-day sporting event expressed disappointment at the organisation and outcome of the games.

The president of the Wrestling Federation of Nigeria, Dr Daniel Igali, told journalists at a news conference that age cheating was a major challenge in the nation’s effort at developing grassroots sports.

“As a nation, we must have to end this win at all cost approach to the tournament.

“If Nigeria wants to do well in international events, we must take deliberate steps to eliminate age cheating.

“If we fail to address this, the aim of the youth tournament will be defeated because this idea of some states wanting to win at all cost is discrediting the efforts of others,” Igali advised.

Igali said the youth games were becoming a failed projection because those obligated to screen athletes have turned it into a gift for the highest bidder.

He said that the youth games remained the most important competition in the country, as far as sports development is concerned.

Also speaking, the Director of Sports, Abia Sports Council, Mr Obioma George, expressed disappointment over the tour-out of the games.

“I want to sincerely congratulate Delta for hosting this tournament, but would also like them to look into the issue of screening of athletes.

“It is disappointing to note that where some athletes were screened in spite of their age difference, that gives some states a brighter chance of winning more medals.

“Most of Abia athletes were screened out even when they were not overage compared to some other states, where their athletes were initially screened out.

“However, we later got to see the same athletes that were initially screened out compete in the competition.

“We hope that the organisers will try to discourage age cheats going forward in our sports competitions, because it’s causing us more harm than good,” Obioma said.

According to the final table released by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the games, Team Lagos came second with 25 gold, 19 silver and 18 bronze medals.

Team Edo scooped 53 medals to emerge third on the medal table with a total of 17 gold, 12 silver and 21 bronze medals.

While Team Bayelsa came a distant fourth on the medal table with 52 medals, comprising 14 gold, 17 silver and 21 bronze.

(NAN)